It is the late 1970s in communist Poland where Filip Mosz works for a rather generic factory. He buys an 8mm camera to document the life of his newborn daughter. Shortly after getting the camera we see that Filip has more than a casual interest in using it. His interest and skill does not go unnoticed by his boss who appoints him as the company's official film archivist, in particular filming important company meetings and events. Filip's interest in filming is piqued and, with his winning the bronze award at a business film festival, he is in thrall to his camera.
Many people are interested in and devoted to their work, but I think that there are not so many who are truly passionate about it, as Filip is about his filming. Having a passion can be disruptive to one's personal life, since the passion will usually take priority over everything. The irony here is that Filip's passion ultimately estranges his wife and child--his initial reason for buying the camera results in that pursuit being lost. The most poignant scene in the movie for me was when Filip's wife walks out on him and, as she leaves, Filip is seen framing how he would film that scene.
Filip's passion also creates conflict between him and his boss. Filip wants to film everything, like two members of a meeting taking a break to go to the bathroom. When he embarks on a documentary of a handicapped employee the boss is not pleased, but Filip persists and finally the film winds up on television, in spite of discouragement from management. In an interesting twist, it is not Filip who is let go, but his immediate boss who allowed the filming to proceed. One message here is about unintended consequences, thinking about what effects your actions may have on others. Another message concerns how to resolve issues of personal integrity when in conflict with external pressures; what sacrifices are you willing to make to pursue your passion?
The DVD contains an interesting interview with Krzysztof Zanussi, a Polish director who was friends with Kieslowski. Zanussi appears as himself in "Camera Buff," giving an interview with a local film society. Kieslowski provides some gentle humor in satirizing the intellectualizing of film and film criticism. For example, a member of the jury deciding on Filip's film pompously announces that all the entries were inferior and it would be inconceivable to award a first prize.
Another excellent film on the topic of someone's developing a passion for film (in this case photography) and how that passion impacts lives is the biographical "Everlasting Moments."
"Camera Buff" is an unpretentious and accomplished film well worth watching.
Many people are interested in and devoted to their work, but I think that there are not so many who are truly passionate about it, as Filip is about his filming. Having a passion can be disruptive to one's personal life, since the passion will usually take priority over everything. The irony here is that Filip's passion ultimately estranges his wife and child--his initial reason for buying the camera results in that pursuit being lost. The most poignant scene in the movie for me was when Filip's wife walks out on him and, as she leaves, Filip is seen framing how he would film that scene.
Filip's passion also creates conflict between him and his boss. Filip wants to film everything, like two members of a meeting taking a break to go to the bathroom. When he embarks on a documentary of a handicapped employee the boss is not pleased, but Filip persists and finally the film winds up on television, in spite of discouragement from management. In an interesting twist, it is not Filip who is let go, but his immediate boss who allowed the filming to proceed. One message here is about unintended consequences, thinking about what effects your actions may have on others. Another message concerns how to resolve issues of personal integrity when in conflict with external pressures; what sacrifices are you willing to make to pursue your passion?
The DVD contains an interesting interview with Krzysztof Zanussi, a Polish director who was friends with Kieslowski. Zanussi appears as himself in "Camera Buff," giving an interview with a local film society. Kieslowski provides some gentle humor in satirizing the intellectualizing of film and film criticism. For example, a member of the jury deciding on Filip's film pompously announces that all the entries were inferior and it would be inconceivable to award a first prize.
Another excellent film on the topic of someone's developing a passion for film (in this case photography) and how that passion impacts lives is the biographical "Everlasting Moments."
"Camera Buff" is an unpretentious and accomplished film well worth watching.